I. What is a group?A. Group or not a group?B. Group or Team?C. Group vs. the IndividualD. Group/Team liabilitiesII. Types of groups and TeamsA. Group sizeIII. Group BasicsA. NormsB. RolesC. StatusCHAPTER 8THE NATURE OF GROUPSI. What is a group?A. Def: A small group/team is a collection of persons who:1. Are aware of each other,2. share an interdependent purpose,3. have a sense of belonging,4. interact with one another,5. accept the norms.** Norms= expectations of the groupA. Group or not a group?6. Seven persons riding a train? No7. Three boys playing marbles? Yes8. Two policemen and a robber? No9. Five members of a family? YesB. Group or Team?10. Same concept11. Team is a highly effective group12. Commitmenta. To team goalb. To each other** We will use group and team interchangeably.C. Group vs. the Individual(Which is better, it depends)13. Problem solvinga. Group: gets better solutions- especially if it is a complex task.b. Ind.: Takes less time14. Efficiencya. Group: it takes longer to have an acceptance of the solutionb. Ind.: it is immediate15. Learninga. Groups are faster in learning b/c it is collaborative.b. Ind.: more difficult16. Creativitya. Groups tend to be generally more creative; because there is a larger poolb. Synergy: Additional component other than the elements themselves17. Motivationa. Social facilitation: People perform better in front of othersb. Competition: Is motivationalD. Group/Team liabilities18. Def: Take group energy away from the task19. Communication Problemsa. Snars language: Weakness in “allness” and this language can distort reality (Well, we all agree, so do you?)b. Selection perception: Choose what you want to hear or see20. Hidden agenda: Your reason for being in the group may be different from others21. Social loathing: Tendency for people to put out less effort when working as part of a group b/c they feel less accountability & responsibility.II. Types of groups and TeamsA. Group size22. Dyad (2)a. Unstableb. 1 person can destroyc. Imbalance of power23. Three (3)a. Less unstable than the dyadb. Possible coalition (2 join up to influence the other or 1 can be the mediator)24. Odd vs. Evena. Odd: more stability and mediatorb. Even: potential deadlock and more disagreements25. Magic # 7a. Wide range of ideasb. Trouble recognizing more than 726. Beyond 8a. Reduction in social rewardb. Several coalitionsc. Decision is different with everyone27. Optimum sizea. 2=1, 3=3, 4=6, 5=10B. Group Structure (efficiency)1. Wheel (1st)a. Most efficient (dictatorship)b. Expense of moralc. Everybody speaks to center2. “Y” (2nd)3. Horseshoe (3rd)4. Circle (4th)a. Everyone is equalb. Not as organized (democracy)III. Group BasicsA. Norms5. Definitionsa. Rules for acceptable behaviorb. Standard for operating procedurec. Expectancies of all members6. Sourcea. Inherited from the external systemb. Unchallenged patterns of behavior result in deviancyc. Influenced by high status members7. Deviancya. Violation of normsb. Norms maintained via group pressurec. Little tolerance, remove memberB. Roles8. Definitiona. Groups expectations about the behaviors of a member(s)b. A persons place in the group9. Types of roles (Handout)10. Role categoriesa. Task (initiator, summarizer)b. Group building and maintenance (tension release, supporter)c. Deviant or negative (blocker, dominator, free rider)C. Status11. Perception: One’s status is perceived by the other members12. How it is acquireda. Task abilityb. Communication skills (critical thinking)c. Attituded. Idiosyncrasy credits: (1) What you do for the group so that the group accepts your idiosyncrasies (being late to meetings but do a lot of extra work) (2) As you violate the norms you spend credits, the higher your status the more credits that you can
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